Royal Exchange
Adelaide 27th August 1890
Baron Von Mueller KCMG Ph D MD &c &c &c &c
President Royal Geographical Society
Melbourne
[…]1 Leader of the exploration in Australia of which Sir Thos Elder has so generously offered to bear the cost.2 I do so with considerable confidence when I call to mind the correspondence which has passed between your branch of the Geographical Society and myself re exploring the North West country.
I may be permitted to enumerate the qualities which make me competent for such a position.
I […] am in perfect health having been fully accepted as a "first class life" by the Doctor of the A.M.P.3 Society.
My courage endurance and energy have been shown on the works I have done in the past. Being by profession a Surveyor I am able to map down the country with accuracy, and the experience of fifteen (15) years in the active practice of my profession as a Surveyor and Explorer qualifies me to report accurately on the topography and geography of the country passed over.
I have a fair practical knowledge of minerals. I do not claim to be a botanist or geologist although of the latter science I have a sufficient knowledge to enable me to describe the rock formations — But here I might be allowed to suggest, that the second in command should be a Geologist with a knowledge of mineralogy and botany attention to which branches of the work would occupy a mans full time —
The exploration of Arnhem land shows that I am able to deal successfully with the natives no matter how troublesome they may be.4
I am, as you know, thoroughly intimate with the Country from South to North having spent about 7 years in tropical Australia and having twice crossed the continent; besides spending about nine months in Central Australia prospecting and surveying.
I have done much work with Camels and have a very good knowledge of those animals.
When exploring in 1886 I discovered the "Australian Ruby" and also reported that gold would be found.
[…] field south of the [Hale] River now being worked was discovered during the same journey [west] of the country near the [McArthur River I wrote that [Felspar] silver, lead and probably gold would be found […] deposit of lead and silver ores were discovered and worked.
Being […] to yourself and the members of the Council of the R G Society I feel that […]
If I am […] and […] will devote my best energies and [intents] to the successful completion of the very important work proposed.
Trusting that my application will be favorably received
I have the honor to be
Sir
Your Obedt Servant
David Lindsay
One or two lines, including the salutation, illegible — letter book copy smudged. All […] in the following text refer to illegible words or lines.
Elder Scientific Exploring Expedition, 1891-2. Lindsay’s application was successful; see Lindsay (1893) for his journal of the expedition.
Australian Mutual Provident.
When Lindsay explored Arnhem Land for the Government of SA in 1883, his party survived attacks by Aborigines, one group of which numbered 300 (ADB, vol. 10, p. 106).
Please cite as “FVM-90-08-27a,” in Correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller, edited by R.W. Home, Thomas A. Darragh, A.M. Lucas, Sara Maroske, D.M. Sinkora†, J.H. Voigt† and Monika Wells accessed on